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Biological Sciences Taster Day on Charles Darwin

Christ's College is where the famous biologist, naturalist and father of evolutionary biology, Charles Darwin studied. Cambridge has changed a lot since Darwin's time, but it still fosters great young scientists. Our outreach officers run an annual Year 12 Biological Sciences Taster Day that takes place here at Christ's College, Cambridge, normally in March or April each year. The 2020 Biological Sciences Taster Day is planned for Wednesday 4 March 2020.

Eligibility

This annual Taster Day is aimed at academically able students who meet all of the criteria below:

you are in Year 12 (or equivalent);

you attend an academy, school or college that does not charge fees;

you are studying Biology, Chemistry, and Maths for A level, IB Higher or equivalent;

you are interested in exploring biological sciences beyond the standard school curriculum.

If you are from outside the UK and are unsure about your eligibility to apply for this event, please contact us for further information.

Theme and content

The annual Biological Sciences Taster Day is themed around Charles Darwin's life, work and impact, with sessions given by academics in Natural Sciences, chance to chat with current students studying science, and a guided tour of the College. The event normally includes a session on applications for Natural Sciences (Biological) and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

Apply for a place on the next Biological Sciences Taster Day

We are planning the 2020 Year 12 Biological Sciences Taster day to take place on Wednesday 4 March 2020.

Applications will open in mid January 2020. Eligible Year 12 students in the academic year 2019-20 will need to complete an application form (available here at the time) in order to be considered for a place.

Although applications have not yet opened, if you would like to register your interest for the 2020 Year 12 Biological Sciences Taster Day, we will send you an email when applications open.

Practical details

The Biological Sciences taster day is for students only (there are no sessions for parents & guardians). The exact date and timetable for 2020 has yet to be determined, but as a guide, we normally start at about 10.30 or 11am and finish at about 4 or 4.30pm. Lunch is provided (free of charge).

Visiting students are responsible for getting themselves to Cambridge for taster days, however we provide travel information and a map of the college:

"The workshop really set me to start questioning things I had previously overlooked. This taster day also gave me the opportunity to see whether I could keep up with the lecture pace (I could) and to finally meet others who share my interests and ambitions."